Lazy Lee

ABSTRACT

“Someone finally figured out how to best utilize the corner” is the most accurate description of the Lazy Lee. The design is “driven” by two separate bearing systems working in harmony, to easily hold over two tons. The unique balancing device that rests on top of the bearing systems has been designed to create four distinctive sides to a circle by utilizing an “H” configuration. With the design of our stabilizing pin system at the top, is not dependent on the on the location of the center of the “H”, we can customize the unit to fit our customers&#39; individual storage needs.

The present application also is related to pending U.S. Design patentapplication Ser. No. 29/474,544 filed Oct. 22, 2014, which isincorporated by reference. All of the material from the U.S.Applications that is essential to the claimed design is included herein.Any material in the related U.S. Applications that is not present hereinforms no part of the claimed design.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to revolving storage cabinets,and more specifically, to rotation devices that spin storage cabinets.

2. Description of the Related Art

Revolving storage cabinets have an advantage over stationary ones bypermitting users an easier access to all sides of the cabinet, andthereby maximizing unit's utility. Many of such storage cabinets, suchas “Lazy Susan”, are relatively lightweight. By contrast, the devicesanimating rotation of large storage cabinets have shown to be prone tofailure for weights over 200 pounds. Therefore, the proposed Lazy Leesystem solves the above-mentioned problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Lazy Lee rotation mechanism consists of a bottom assembly and a topassembly. The system is configured for use with a storage cabinetsituated in between the bottom assembly and the top assembly.

These and other aspects of the present invention become apparent in thecontext of preferred embodiment as shown on the drawings. The drawingsare for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of theinvention, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the bottom assembly part of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a detail view of a sub-plate.

FIG. 1B is a detail view of a bearing assembly.

FIG. IC is a detail view of a base plate.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the top assembly part of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a detail view of a threaded pin, and of a tee nut.

FIG. 3 shows embodiments of the invention's top assembly A-1, andinvention's bottom assembly A-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a rotation mechanism consisting of a bottomassembly and a top assembly. The invention is configured for use with astorage cabinet situated in between the bottom and top assembly. FIG. 3shows embodiments of the invention in a storage unit consisting of anouter stationary casing and an inner rotating storage cabinet. FIG. 3A-1 showing the invention's top assembly, and FIG. 3 A-2 showinginvention's bottom assembly. The invention can be adapted to fit othersimilar configurations.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the bottom assembly part of the invention.It comprises a double bearing system: a bearing assembly 3, and abearing 2 housed in sub-plate 1. The double bearing system drasticallyincreases the weight load capacity of the invention. FIG. 1 alsoillustrates the metallic plate 4 which is screwed into the wooden baseof a storage cabinet sitting on top and thereby spinning or rotating thecabinet itself.

FIG. 1A is a detail view of a sub-plate, which is screwed into astationary housing of the rotating storage. Alternatively, sub-plate isscrewed into the floor if the rotating cabinet is a stand-alone unit,that is without stationary housing as shown on FIG. 3.

FIG. 1B is a detail view of a bearing assembly, which consists of agrease fitting and 2 set screws, freely rotating steel flange bearingwith center through hole.

FIG. 1C is a detail view of a metallic base plate. The metallic baseplate is connected to wood base of the cabinet sitting on top andthereby spinning or rotating the cabinet itself.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the top assembly part of the invention. Itconsists of an upper stationary panel 8 and a lower rotating panel 5;both panels are aligned and held together by a threaded pin 10, fenderwasher 9, tee nut 7, and bushing 6.

FIG. 2A is a detail view of a threaded pin, and of a tee nut.

FIG. 3 shows embodiments of the invention's top assembly A-1, andinvention's bottom assembly A-2.

As used herein the term “storage” or “cabinet” is defined broadly toencompass any number of storage assemblies, organizers, containingdrawers, sections or chambers designed to facilitate orderly grouping ofvarious items.

What is claimed is: 1) A bottom assembly comprising: a square sub-platewith a housing for a thrust bearing in the center and holes for securingthe sub-plate to a cabinet base, a thrust bearing fitted for asub-plate, a bearing assembly, a plate with a hole in the center and arod TIG welded to the plate in the center 2) A top assembly comprising:a static upper panel, part of the outer cabinet casing, a revolvinglower panel, part of the revolving cabinet, a threaded pin, fenderwasher, tee nut and a bushing uniting the upper and lower panels.